Urban Telescope Outreach — Amsterdam
During my time in Amsterdam, I regularly participated in informal telescope outreach sessions across the city. These involved setting up small telescopes in public spaces and inviting passers-by to observe objects such as Jupiter and its moons. Conversations that followed often ranged from basic observational questions to wider discussions about space exploration and planetary science. These interactions reinforced the importance of accessibility and immediacy in science communication; seeing a celestial object firsthand often transforms abstract curiosity into lasting interest.
Public Talks
From Sci-fi to Sci-fact:
Unravelling the atmospheres of exo-worlds
Pint of view Public Lecture Series-
Bengaluru and Mumbai
As part of the Pint of View public lecture series, I spoke about how astronomers detect and study planets beyond our Solar System, with a focus on young planetary systems and atmospheric evolution. The session explored how telescopes like Hubble and JWST allow us to reconstruct the physical histories of distant worlds using light alone.
Engaging with an audience from diverse academic and professional backgrounds was especially rewarding, as the discussion extended beyond technical details to broader questions about scientific discovery, uncertainty, and the very humane curiosity to knoiw what’s out there!
Learning from Young Audiences
During a visit to Mumbai, I had the opportunity to interact with high school students in Malvani, a neighbourhood where daily life is shaped by challenges very different from those in academic settings. We spoke about planets, telescopes, and the idea that scientific discovery is not limited by geography or circumstance.
The encounter was deeply humbling. The students’ enthusiasm and insight made it clear that intellectual curiosity does not depend on resources or background. Rather, what is often missing is access. Access to tools, to exposure, and to the confidence that they too belong in conversations about science. That afternoon reshaped my understanding of what outreach can mean.
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